Lee County public hearing draws scores of speakers urging supervisors to fund schools amid possible cuts

Hundreds of residents, teachers and students filled the Lee County Courthouse on June 17 for a public hearing on the proposed county budget, pressing the Board of Supervisors to maintain or increase local school funding to avoid cuts that speakers said would force school consolidations, larger class sizes and layoffs.

Speakers representing parents, teachers and students said the advertised local-school funding figure — $7,144,188 in the budget documents distributed that night — had been reduced in board discussions, and they warned that a lower local contribution would reduce state matching funds and could require the school board to consider school closures.

The crowd included teachers and principals who described classrooms they said would be harmed if local funding fell. "Making deep cuts to education funding is short sighted and will have long lasting effects on our students, educators, and community as a whole," said Brooke Edwards, who identified herself as a Lee County Public Schools special-education teacher. "You cannot support education whenever it fits your budget."

Why it matters: Lee County Public Schools officials told the board the local match level directly affects the amount of state and federal funding the district receives. Several speakers and the superintendent said lowering the local commitment would cause the district to forfeit millions of dollars in external funds and would force program cuts that primarily affect at-risk students and special-education services.

Key points from public testimony and officials

- Funding levels discussed: speakers referenced a local-match figure of $7,144,188 printed in the budget packet and said board discussions had moved toward lower figures; multiple witnesses said a proposed $6,100,000 local share would mean millions in state and federal funds would not be drawn down. At one point a speaker said a $6.1 million local share would “result in approximately $10,240,000 being returned” (speaker identified as a public commenter reporting numbers from the school system presentation).

- Instructional and student impacts: teachers and students described likely effects, including larger class sizes and reduced one-on-one services. "If you make bigger class sizes, kids will struggle," said student Denley James, and other speakers said closures would push families to move children to other counties or homeschool.

- At-risk funding and match rules: Superintendent (identified in testimony as school system leadership) said some state categorical funds depend on the county providing a local match; one school official said that without local at-risk funding the district could be required to return about $800,000 to the state.

- Local tax choices and assessments: public commenters and members of the county equalization board detailed concerns about recent property reassessments, unequal grading changes on manufactured homes, and the possible effect of keeping or changing the current tax rate (transcript references the current rate at "74¢ on the $100" and how assessments interact with that rate). Several speakers said they would accept a small tax increase to preserve schools; others warned higher rates would burden low-income and fixed-income residents.

- Economic-development context: several speakers urged investment in schools as part of an economic-development strategy tied to nearby LMU veterinary school growth, regional parks and tourism; one commenter noted the county receives substantial visits to nearby national and state parks and argued for infrastructure investment to attract businesses.

What officials said: Board members acknowledged the difficulty of meeting school funding requests amid tight county revenue. The board did not adopt a final budget at the hearing; supervisors said they would continue discussions and must set a budget before July 1. One supervisor said he supported finding a compromise close to the figure advocated by the schools and would bring proposals back to the board for further consideration.

Voices from the hearing (examples)

- Ben Richmond (Jonesville District resident) criticized perceived waste and urged cuts to ordinary county spending rather than schools. - Brooke Edwards (special-education teacher) said larger class sizes force teachers to quit and harm students who need extra help: "No teacher can stay in an environment and thrive where they are overwhelmed and wondering if they are failing students." - Tina Dean (assistant principal at Thomas Walker) said the county had failed to communicate the change in the proposed local share and that uncertainty drove staff turnout at the hearing: "That's why they're all here. That's why they don't want to move to another room." - Multiple students from Thomas Walker and community members warned closures would push families to move children out of county schools and that loss of jobs would follow.

Background and next steps: Board members said they will continue budget work sessions and aim to set a final tax rate and budget before the fiscal deadline of June 30. Several speakers urged constituents to contact state lawmakers to seek additional, unconditional funding from Richmond.

Ending: The board recessed the public hearing after more than three hours of testimony and moved on to other agenda items. Supervisors did not take a final vote on the county budget during this meeting; they indicated more budget workshops and decisions would come before the end of the month.